Executive Business Director, West

Xenon Pharmaceuticals

5d•$300,000 - $345,000•Remote

About The Position

Xenon Pharmaceuticals is seeking a patient-centric, strategic, collaborative, agile, and results-oriented Executive Business Director, Epilepsy, to lead its West region. Reporting to the Vice President, Sales, this fully remote senior field leadership role is accountable for leading and developing Regional Sales Managers and ensuring execution of the company’s commercial strategy across a multi-state geography. Responsibilities include launch readiness, business performance, leadership development, field effectiveness, and cross-functional execution. As Xenon prepares for its first commercial launch, the Executive Business Director will help build the field organization, develop frontline leadership capabilities, establish performance expectations, and support consistent execution across regions. The role connects national commercial strategy with field execution by translating corporate priorities into actionable regional plans and fostering collaboration across field teams and functions. The role leads Regional Sales Managers and supports strategic accounts, launch planning, commercial performance, market insight gathering, and cross-functional initiatives. It also oversees area resources and budgets and promotes ethical, compliant, inclusive, and patient-focused field operations. Travel of up to 75% is required, and some international travel may be required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
12+ years of biotechnology or pharmaceutical commercial experience.
7+ years of progressive commercial or sales leadership experience.
Significant biotechnology or pharmaceutical launch experience.
Experience leading first-line sales leaders.
Neurology experience.
Proven success building, developing, and leading high-performing organizations and leadership teams.
Strong experience working with academic institutions, epilepsy centers, health systems, integrated delivery networks, and specialty markets.
Demonstrated ability to influence and lead within complex matrix organizations.
Strong strategic thinking, business planning, analytical, coaching, and organizational leadership capabilities.
Excellent communication, collaboration, and cross-functional leadership skills.
Proficiency with CRM platforms, analytics tools, and Microsoft 365 applications.
Ability to travel up to 75%; some international travel may be required.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree preferred.
Second-line leadership experience strongly preferred.
Epilepsy experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Build and maintain a high-performing team of Regional Sales Managers and establish consistent leadership expectations, performance standards, coaching practices, and operating rhythms.
Coach and develop Regional Sales Managers in leadership effectiveness, business planning, strategic account management, and organizational leadership.
Ensure Regional Sales Managers effectively recruit, onboard, develop, and retain high-performing field teams; conduct talent reviews, succession planning, development discussions, and performance management.
Foster an ethical, inclusive, patient-focused culture grounded in accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
Lead launch readiness activities across the assigned area, monitor milestones, identify risks and capability gaps, and partner with Regional Sales Managers to execute launch plans consistently.
Support field deployment planning, territory readiness, customer engagement preparation, and adoption of commercial systems and processes.
Translate national commercial priorities into aligned regional execution plans and provide field perspectives and recommendations to the Vice President of Sales and Commercial Leadership Team.
Drive area business objectives; lead area business reviews; monitor leading and lagging performance indicators; and implement actions to address performance gaps.
Ensure consistency in customer engagement, account planning, coaching effectiveness, CRM utilization, and execution standards across regions.
Collaborate with internal partners and Regional Sales Managers to improve productivity, resource allocation, and organizational effectiveness; identify and share best practices.
Provide leadership and support for key epilepsy centers, academic institutions, health systems, integrated delivery networks, and other strategic accounts spanning multiple regions.
Develop relationships with key accounts during the pre-launch phase and support Regional Sales Managers in addressing complex customer, health system, and access-related opportunities and challenges.
Synthesize field insights on customer needs, patient journey barriers, treatment trends, competition, and market opportunities, and communicate actionable recommendations to commercial leadership.
Serve as the senior field leader for cross-functional initiatives and partner with Marketing, Medical Affairs, Market Access, Patient Services, Commercial Operations, Commercial Training, Analytics, Human Resources, Legal, and Compliance.
Ensure alignment and communication between field teams and headquarters functions, and support coordinated resolution of issues affecting multiple regions and customers.
Model company values and ensure field activities comply with company policies, industry regulations, and legal requirements; promote ethical leadership and responsible decision-making.
Oversee area budgets, resource allocation, travel, meetings, and commercial investments, and ensure Regional Sales Managers maintain strong compliance standards.
Develop and propose short- and long-term functional objectives aligned with company strategies and plans.
Plan and manage budget proposals and approved budgets in accordance with company strategic and operating plans and Finance policies.
Recruit, lead, direct, develop, coach, and evaluate direct reports, if any, in accordance with company Human Resource policies and practices.
Act in accordance with company policies, including the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, and ensure policies are understood and followed by direct reports, if any.
Perform other duties as assigned.